Bad Magic and the Secularist of the Year

Ah, the secular backlash against the rising tide of extremist religion — numbered, as always, in the “scores.” The petite force will meet this week in London, rallying its dozens with a new “Secularist of the Year” awards ceremony, the nominees for which include the script writer for one of Theo van Gogh’s films; the director of last year’s controversial “Jerry Springer: The Opera”; and what seems to be a British magician who’s used his illusionist talents to spread skepticism and naysaying on TV. Who says “brights” aren’t fun?